Like many children, Olivia had a deep love for animals. However, this affection went beyond simply playing with pets—it ignited a desire to make a tangible difference in their lives. What began as a childhood dream soon evolved into a passionate pursuit of veterinary medicine. As a student, Olivia set out to gain a deeper understanding of animals and learn how to provide the medical and surgical care they desperately needed.

The NParks Undergraduate Scholarship* opened doors for Olivia, offering invaluable opportunities in both the veterinary field and the public sector, enabling her to fulfil her dream. As Singapore’s leading agency for animal health and welfare, NParks provided Olivia with a platform to expand her horizons and create a lasting impact.

“Working in the public sector offers numerous opportunities to serve the community. These include conducting policy reviews, community engagement and public education to uplift industry standards,” Olivia shared.

The scholarship enabled her to gain industry insights to international relations and efforts to safeguard animal health and welfare, including overseeing the import of animals and animal products into Singapore.

The highlight of her scholarship journey? Studying veterinary medicine at a university abroad. There, she met other like-minded and passionate scholars who became a vital support system in her years abroad.

“My educational experience overseas was eye-opening and humbling. Learning from specialists in the field of veterinary medicine inspired me professionally,” she recalled fondly.

One particularly transformative experience was shadowing veterinarians at a university hospital. The high standard of care and the opportunity to explore regional diseases and treatments left a profound impression on her.

Rehabilitation, Rescue and Rehome

Fast forward to today, Olivia now dons the white coat as a veterinarian at the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation, Singapore’s first dedicated facility for animal behavioural rehabilitation. Operating under the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of NParks, the Centre plays a key role in driving the nationwide Trap-Neuter-Release/Rehome-Manage (TNRM) programme.

The Centre serves as a safe haven for rescued animals but the goal isn’t long-term shelter—it’s rehabilitation, preparing them for a fresh start. This is where Olivia’s dedication as a veterinarian truly shines.

Every animal that enters the Centre embarks on a carefully planned journey. Olivia conducts health assessments and pathway planning, identifying whether they’re best suited for adoption, relocation, or continued rehabilitation.

She ensures their medical and behavioural needs are met, tapping into the Centre’s specialised resources to develop treatment plans. As part of the TNRM programme, she also performs surgical sterilisations and works closely with AVS Rehoming Partners to find these animals their forever homes.

Yet, amid these responsibilities, one duty always holds a special place in Olivia’s heart. “It is particularly rewarding reuniting lost pets with their owners or caretakers,” Olivia said, recounting the warm smiles on people’s faces and the eager greetings from pets.

In these moments, Olivia uses her expertise to advise pet owners on the animals’ needs, particularly when they are injured or in poor condition, ensuring they receive the proper care to recover fully.

Growth at Every Step

While Olivia has fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian, her journey of growth is far from over.

“Continuous learning is paramount in this profession, and I am grateful for the support to do so,” she reflected. “NParks has supported me in my professional endeavours by providing upskilling opportunities and financial support for both in-house training programmes and external courses and certifications.”

Thanks to these training opportunities, Olivia was able to hone her skills and launch impactful programmes, including the AVS volunteer initiative during her time with the Education and Engagement team. This initiative allows the public to volunteer at AVS events, spreading the message of responsible pet ownership and furthering the reach of AVS’ educational and outreach work.

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring veterinarians, Olivia thoughtfully responded, “I would advise them to learn more about the profession including its opportunities, expectations, challenges, highs and lows. It can be a demanding yet fulfilling career as it offers both challenges and opportunities for growth.”

Olivia’s journey is just one example of the many paths made possible through NParks scholarships. NParks offers a diverse range of veterinary roles, from shaping policies and programmes to biosurveillance, biosecurity, industry standards, licensing, laboratory capabilities, and operational animal health and care.

For those passionate about making a difference, a career with NParks extends far beyond the clinic, opening doors to meaningful roles that protect, heal, and advocate for animals in countless ways.

*The NParks Undergraduate Scholarship was formerly known as the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) Overseas Undergraduate Scholarship.